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The Christian and Fasting

“When you fast . . .” (Mt 6:16-7) Father, may my life be yours.  Christian disciplines are a normal part of a healthy Christian life.  Time in the Scriptures, prayer, giving, service, and sharing your faith are all disciplines I have already discussed.  And while Christians may not practice these disciplines well, they generally agree that they ought to.  Today, however, I want to deal with a discipline that may be the least practiced of them all, and part of the reason for the lag in practice is that many Christians do not think they ought to practice it.  I…

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Tell Them

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations . . . (Matthew 28:19) But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. (I Peter 3:15-16) Lord, you have put me on Earth to proclaim your name.  Be gracious to me and grant me boldness and wisdom and clarity as I do…

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Serving

“For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve” (Mk 10:45) Lord, may I love you more.  And may I serve you because I love you.  Not to gain any reward, but because you are worthy.  People who walk with God give their lives to serve His kingdom.  Service to Christ is a basic and normal part of the Christian life.  God’s people work to advance the gospel.   Now I suppose I need to clear up a common misconception about working for the kingdom.  It is this:  working for the kingdom is not works righteousness. …

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Practical Issues of Giving

The previous blog on giving laid a foundation, and that foundation involves a right heart.  Now let’s build on the foundation.  Some principles for practical giving. Give Everything Sometimes when we talk about giving, people think only about money.  This is a mistake.  Some people are merely one-dimensional givers.  They will write a check or tithe online, then wipe their hands and live the rest of their lives for themselves.  They may consider themselves givers because they gave some money, but Biblical giving involves much more.  When your heart belongs to God, you give Him everything.  Don’t give just money. …

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Giving

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift.  (II Cor 9:15) Father, you have given me all I have.  Make me a man who gives to you all I have.  God gives.  He so loved the world that He gave.  He saves by grace, and grace is a gift.  Eternal life is a gift.  Your own breath is a gift.  Food and home and friends are all gifts.  Forgiveness is a gift.  A new nature is a gift.  The Holy Spirit, peace and joy are gifts.  Every good and perfect gift comes from above, from the Father of lights.  God…

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